Campus Fire Safety

According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), the number of reported fires in the dormitory occupancy group increased 3% from 3,200 in 1980 to 3,300 in 2005. In comparison, structure fires of all types declined 52% from 1980 to 2005.

Safety Tips

NFPA Facts & Figures

In 2002-2005, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 3,300 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and barracks. These fires caused an annual average of 7 civilian deaths, 46 civilian fire injuries, and $25 million in direct property damage. Note: Dormitories include school, college and university dormitories; fraternity and sorority houses; monasteries; bunk houses; barracks; and nurses’ quarters.

Between 2002-2005, cooking equipment was involved in 72% of the reported dormitory fires; this includes confined or contained fires. Heating equipment was listed as the equipment involved in 2% of theses fires; an additional 2% were confined heating equipment fires.

Structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and barracks are more common during the evening hours between 5-11 p.m., as well as on weekends.